The Portland daily press., 1887-05-03

Amounting to sze7 ,2so.
List Of Drains and Sewers to Sc
Built.
The regular monthly meeting of the City
Council was held last evening.
In Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Present; Aldermen Galley, Wilson, Bicker,
McMahon, Smith and Marks, the Mayor in
the chair.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Mayor Chapman made the following state
ment on the part Of the committee on appro-
priations:
The committee on appropriations have
held six meetings, at which they have had
presented to them by the different city de-
partments estimates CT the amount desired
in their departments for the current year.
These estimates amounted in the aggregate
to $S4l, 900 exclusive of any appropriation for
the construction OF the marginal way, which
1t Is desirable to undertake this year, both to
remedy the Back Bay nuisance, and, also.
to utilize the material obtainable from dredg-
ing the ship channel
As the amount OF money assessed for tax
alton last year was only $4,000, 1t was at
once apparent that, however desirable it
might be for the various committees to ex-
pend the sums estimated as necessary for
their departments, it could not be appro-
priated to them without perceptibly increas-
ing the rate of taxation. Any increase in tax
alton was not deemed judicious, in the abb
sence OF any imperative necessity, and there
fore the committee applied themselves to
careful consideration in detail of all the an
ticipated needs of the various departments,
consuming much time and labor. AS
result OF their examination, they recommend
an appropriation of $795, 7S0.73, involving
tax levy, after the city income is deducted, OF
$716,550S3, which is reduction of $3,418.4S
from last year.
1t is reasonable to suppose that the city
valuation has increased during the past year,
In which case we may expect a somewhat
lower rate OF taxation this year than last
This result Will be accomplished without
weakening the resources of any department.
besides providing among other things for the
construction of many needed sewers, espec-
tally at the West End; for the completion of
the Carroll street school house; the proper
ventilation and heating of the high school !;
the reconstruction of the sewerage system
in the City Hall; the final extension Of the
Somerset street intercepting sewer into tide
water; tie erection of stable and purchase
of a team for the police signal system; the
laying Of eight thousand yards of granite
pavement, and the construction of the mar
ginal way from Deering bridge to Gould's
wharf, which will resultin the prompt filling
up by lndividul owners of that section of the
hats, from which most complaint now arises,
adding also much taxable valuation to our
Guy. Inc committee ON appropriations de-
sire to express their thanks to the different
departments Of the city government for their
hearty acquiescence in the reduction of their
estimates to such estimates as was recon-
mended should be allowed them.
On motion of Alderman Smith, it was voted
to take up the items separately.
When the sewer appropriations was
reached, Mr.. Smith said it was desirable to
get along as economically as possible, but
that considering the state Of the sewerage
system he thought it the best policy to start
in other directions and lay out more on the
drains and sewers. He moved to add $500
to the appropriation.
The Mayor explained that the committee
on appropriations gave all the money that
the committee on drains and sewers asked
for.
Alderman Marks said the committee de-
sired TO make as large appropriations for
sewers as possible. The amount is nearly
three times as large as last year, and he con.
sldered that under all circumstances the ap.
preparation was as liberal as was prudent IA
| make.
Alderman Kicker believed the necessities
Of the case demanded larger expenditures
than ever before.
The Mayor suggested that if need be the
sewer committee could fall back upon the
contingent fund.
Alderman Wilson, while endorsing all that
had been said of the necessity of large
expenditure, said he did not believe in in
creasing the appropriations a cent. He
thought perhaps the amount for sewers
might be raised by cutting down the city
building and the contingent items, say $1,000
each
Alderman Smith adopted the suggestion
and amended his motion so as to add 5000
| to the sewer appropriation.
Inc Mayor said they would try to run the
city building as low as the city government
would nix the appropriation. Last year, he
SAID, there was more work done on the coun-
| ty side than was calculated on, and the con.
sequence was defcienty of about $500 to
make up. The gas bills were no smaller.
and there were the electric lights in addition,
The higher cost Of coal this year would
make an addition of several hundred dollars
20 last years coal bill: The boilers had been
In the building ever since the great fire. and
required more or less repairing each year
The roof is in horrible condition. It Leaks
badly and needs reslating. Repairs were
| needed badly In the police station The
committee had made the figures for the build.
ing as low as possible, in order to give ali
that they could to the sewer fund.
:. Alderman Wilson, tspcaking of the tax
discount item, thought it would be better II
90 away with discount altogether and charge
face value, with interest after thirty DAYS.
The Mayor said the advantage was that
the discount induced the prompt payment Of
about $500 200 ON the first of October. and
put the treasurer In receipt of funds with
out which he would have TO borrow.
Mr.. Smiths motion to increase the item of
81, 900 for drains and sewers to Sit. 900 pre.
vailed, and the rest of the items were ac-
cepted without change. The bill as passed
stands as follows '"''oe